The False Self From Childhood

I think it's important that basic wants can be expressed with non-social, not anti-social, self-centeredness. I think it's also important that a child start learning at an early age (maybe by 4 or so) that the world isn't there for him -- if he doesn't learn that, he may grow up to be president but he's a big problem to society. The world doesn't always hold, accept, or love us -- to me that's reality. Connection to my authentic self has been up and down. I do know connection to my authentic self has been helped by acceptance from others. I think unconditional acceptance ends by the time a person is 2 or 3 (Winnicott may have said that too), and I think any acceptance or amount of acceptance is helpful. What helps me balance the need for authenticity etc is accepting that my want is authentic and accepting that many of my expressions are lacking skill and not done well.